Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suffered from heat exhaustion at a function in Lumut in Perak this afternoon.

He said that he was overcome with heat exhaustion while officiating Dataran Hadhari in Lumut's Teluk Batik.

At a hastily organised press conference tonight, Abdullah, 67, took pains to deny "rumours" on the Internet that he had collapsed during the event.

"I am fine. Don't worry," he said. "I will continue with the programmes that been arranged for me.

"The doctor had conducted several tests on me including ECG, blood and blood pressure and these were found to be normal," added Abdullah who according to Bernama was examined by his personal physician Dr Sanjiv Joshi.

At the event, Abdullah appeared to have lost balance and almost collapsed but was held by Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Backbenchers Club acting chairman Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.

"The heat was intense. The prime minister did not faint. He just lost his balance due to the intense afternoon heat," an aide told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Abdullah said his condition could be due to the hot weather and lack of sleep.

"I'm relieved now (after the doctor's examination). At first I was worried too. I thank the Almighty that I'm alright," he added.

Two-day retreat

Abdullah is scheduled to meet Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a two-day retreat in Langkawi beginning tomorrow.

This is the duo's second informal meeting after unofficial talks during a brief visit by Abdullah to Singapore for a friendly golf with his counterpart last year.

While no specific agenda has been set for the meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss a number of unsettled issues - the price for the raw water sold to the republic, KTM Bhd land, use of Malaysia's airspace by Singapore's airforce and a new bridge project to replace the 80-year-old Causeway.

Lee will be accompanied by several ministers and is scheduled to arrive in Langkawi tomorrow afternoon.

Abdullah hosting a seafood lunch for Lee on Tuesday on board the Star Cruises' 'Megastar Aries'.